Tottenham match preview

This is effectively our biggest game of the season given the stakes; we can open up an eight-point gap on Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish.

That said, Spurs have the advantage of already being above the Blues, so dropping points wouldn’t be a disaster.

Curse of the Bridge

Our record at Chelsea is beyond poor. Tottenham haven’t left Stamford Bridge with maximum points since 1990, and we’ve suffered some painful results there over recent years – the worst being the 2-2 draw that saw our title hopes fade away in the 2015-16 campaign.

Even when they’ve been far from their best, Chelsea have possessed the sufficient quality to harm us at the Bridge.

Eden Hazard’s excellent equaliser in May 2016 is proof of that, considering the difficult season he had endured up to that point.

And it’s not just Stamford Bridge. Spurs outplayed Chelsea in our first Premier League game at Wembley earlier this season, but Marcos Alonso’s late sucker-punch of a winner unravelled us at the death. Mauricio Pochettino’s side must use that as motivation this weekend.

No Kane, more pain?

Of course, Tottenham’s task is made doubly difficult by Kane’s absence. The team may have scored seven goals in two matches without him, but his presence would have been a huge boost, especially if it’s a tight contest.

I expect Heung-min Son to play through the middle, supported by an attacking midfield trio of Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela and Dele Alli.

All of those players have found the net since Kane limped off at Bournemouth, which is a welcome silver lining.

Key battle

Hazard will be a threat as usual, most likely down the left. Whoever starts at right-back for Spurs will have to be cautious. Trippier’s biggest weakness is his defensive positioning, while Aurier has a bad habit of diving into tackles in the penalty area.

Opposition danger man

Willian has been in fine form lately, and the Brazilian has the ability to produce something special out of nothing. I’m more worried about him than any other Chelsea player.

Betting tips and predictions

First goalscorer flutter

If Spurs don’t deal with him properly, I can see Willian opening the scoring.